An outspoken critic of Donald Trump's plans to build a £750million golf resort in the north-east has been ousted from a key local authority post.
Independent Debra Storr was removed as vice-chairwoman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee yesterday after councillors voted to have her replaced with immediate effect.
The unceremonious exit mirrors that of her friend Martin Ford, who was dumped as chairman of the infrastructure committee in November 2007 after using his casting vote to temporarily bunker Mr Trump’s dream of building “the world’s greatest golf course” at the Menie Estate near Balmedie.
Last night, Miss Storr claimed she had been the victim of a “witch hunt” – but Ellon and district member Rob Merson said fellow councillors had simply become frustrated with her behaviour. He called for the emergency vote at a meeting of the area committee, which debated planning applications related to Mr Trump’s development.
Miss Storr has been a long-standing opponent of the billionaire’s plans, and has had run-ins with security staff at the Menie site. She was once accused of harassment by the American businessman, who said she should be “ashamed" of herself for trying to “discredit" his plans.
Miss Storr told the committee yesterday she had received no comments or complaints about her role as vice-chairwoman and it was clear she was on the “wrong side of the political divide”.
But Mr Merson’s motion to replace her with Turriff and district member Alisan Norrie was carried by seven votes to two.
Speaking after her removal yesterday, Miss Storr said: “Councillor Merson didn’t even have the courtesy to warn me.
“Councillor Merson and colleagues who agreed with him seemed to be treating this as continuation of their vindictiveness for anyone who wishes to stand up for the rights of the Menie residents.
“It boils down very simply to the fact I do not support the Trump development. This is just pure, childish vindictiveness.”
Mr Ford, Miss Storr and follow Formartine member Paul Johnston quit the council’s ruling Liberal Democrat administration over the resort row, and have formed the Democratic Independent Group, with councillors Sam Coull and Mark Cullen.
Miss Storr has taken a leading role in the fight to stop compulsory-purchase orders being used against homeowners who do not want to make way for the golf course project.
Mr Trump has since been given permission to add four neighbouring properties – Mill of Menie, Menie Fishing Station, Hermit Point, and Leyton Cottage – to the plan, but the owners have so far refused to sell.
Mr Merson, who worked as an assistant to Alex Salmond when he was Banff and Buchan MP, said Miss Storr’s views on the Menie project were not behind his move. He said: “I tabled it because I felt I was speaking for most of the committee when I said I wasn’t satisfied with the comments made by Councillor Storr on a variety of issues. I did not think they were conducive to the vice-chairwoman of this committee.”
Mr Trump’s team declined to comment last night. Mr Trump’s proposals for two golf courses, 500 houses, 950 holiday homes and a five-star hotel were approved after a public inquiry.
Mr Salmond’s minority SNP government called in the plans after Mr Ford threw them into turmoil.
Work is now well under way on what will be the championship course – which Mr Trump hopes will one day host golf’s Open Championship.